Untraceable Firearms (a.k.a. Ghost Guns)
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On June 1, 2022, Senate Bill 387 (Untraceable Firearms) takes effect and adds Subtitle 7 to Title 5 of the Public Safety Article. This new law expands the definition of a firearm, restricts unfinished frames or receivers (commonly referred to as 80% lowers or ghost guns) until certain federal regulations are established, and requires a certain serial number or personal identification number to be affixed on privately made firearms and unfinished frames or receivers by a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) authorized to provide marking services by a certain date. Additional details and the final version of Senate Bill 387 can be found by clicking the following links:
New Federal Regulations effective August 24, 2022:
On or after August 24, 2022, unmarked firearms presented to an FFL for marking services will be required to be marked in accordance with the new federal regulations.
Unmarked firearms must be identified by placing or causing to be placed by the Licensee (FFL) or under the licensee’s direct supervision, an individual serial number on the frame or receiver, which must not duplicate any serial number placed by the licensee on any other firearm. The serial number must begin with the licensee’s abbreviated FFL number, which is the first three and last five digits, as a prefix to a unique identification number, followed by a hyphen, e.g., ‘‘12345678-[unique identification number]’’. The serial number must be placed in a manner otherwise in accordance with 27 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 478.92, including the requirements that the serial number be at the minimum size and depth, and not susceptible of being readily obliterated, altered, or removed. Additional details can be found at the following link:
Applicants wishing to register their privately made firearms and unfinished frames or receivers in accordance with PS 5-703, please click the following link to the Licensing Portal.
Applicants will be required to provide the name and FFL number of the FFL who imprinted the State mandated personal identification number on the firearm that they are registering. Privately Made Firearm and Unfinished Frame or Receiver applicants can review step-by-step instructions on how to submit this type of application to the Licensing Portal by clicking the following link: PMF & Unfinished Frame or Receiver Instructions
